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\"Despite this unfortunate circumstance, Paige is an unwavering advocate for the marine life and the animals who live in the water,\" the statement read. \"She wishes for people to continue to respect sharks in their environment and their safety.\"

\"I'm a fan, I got to tell you,\" the Oscar-nominated actor told the teen via his video message. \"And of course, yes, I will follow you on Instagram, let's get that out of the way,\" he quipped. \"But also, kind of like Tony with Peter Parker a few years back, I'm in a bit of a recruitment mode, so I wanted to see if you would join my Footprint Coalition, and be my North Carolina ambassador?\"

\"YES. I will follow you on Instagram...\" ❤️@RobertDowneyJr sends a special message to teen shark victim Paige Winter, and recruits her for his climate change coalition! https://t.co/fIPIZd5AXk pic.twitter.com/eZ44uhJ2eQ

— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 18, 2019

Downey concluded his message with: \"Great! You're in, I'll find you next week and we'll start talking about it.\"

The \"Iron Man\" actor announced his Footprint Coalition initiative to help combat climate change earlier this month at Amazon’s re:MARS artificial intelligence conference, saying he hopes it will launch in April 2020.

\"PHOTO:
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, FILE
PHOTO: In this April 22, 2019, file photo Robert Downey Jr. signs autographs as he arrives at the premiere of "Avengers: Endgame" at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
>

\"Between robotics and nanotechnology, we could clean up the planet significantly, if not totally, in 10 years,\" Downey said, according to the many news outlets in attendance, including Forbes and Variety.

In his presentation, Downey said that, like many others, he has a \"quiet sense of crisis\" regarding the earth.

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